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External Review by Premier Wine & Spirits:

The 1994 Reserve is an exquisite wine. The deep opaque purple color, and tightly wound nose and flavors still reveal enough profound aromas to mark this as one of Mondavi's most sensational efforts. The nose possesses a Margaux/Mouton-like cassis, lead pencil, floral aroma, backed up by copious quantities of blackcurrant fruit. In the mouth, my notes said, "great stuff." The wine is full-bodied, layered, multidimensional and astonishingly well balanced, with an inner-depth and core of exceptional richness and intensity. All of this has been accomplished without any notion of obtrusive weight, tannin or alcohol. The finish lasts for 35+ seconds. Because of its luxurious quantity of fruit, this wine will be accessible young. However, for those who possess the discipline to wait 10-15 years, this wine should prove to be a formidable Cab with a rare complexity, elegance and richness.

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The Robert Mondavi Winery was founded in 1966 after a family split with the Charles Krug Winery, which had been founded by Robert’s father. After heading out on his own, Robert settled on land in Napa valley, and in particular the famed To Kalon Vineyard in the Rutherford district. The original plot in To Kalon Vineyard was only 12 acres, but today there are 450 acres und... Read more

The Robert Mondavi Winery was founded in 1966 after a family split with the Charles Krug Winery, which had been founded by Robert’s father. After heading out on his own, Robert settled on land in Napa valley, and in particular the famed To Kalon Vineyard in the Rutherford district. The original plot in To Kalon Vineyard was only 12 acres, but today there are 450 acres under vine. The Robert Mondavi Winery also includes the Wappo Hill Vineyard, which is a 400 acre plot in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.
Within a year of its inception, the Robert Mondavi Winery proved to be a true pioneer, not only with the establishment of his winery but also by introducing and popularizing the use of French oak barrels for wine, European wine techniques, and the bottling of varietal wines. Robert Mondavi Winery only uses French Oak barrels for storing wine, and his influence and success led to the practice’s prevalence.
Among Mondavi’s greatest successes one would have to count the creation of the Fume Blanc moniker for Sauvignon Blanc as well as the introduction of his benchmark Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet.
Today Robert Mondavi’s legacy is carried on under the watchful eye of his wife who works with the current winemakers Genevieve Janssens, Gustavo Gonzalez, and Richard Arnold to ensure that today’s Robert Mondavi wines deliver the elegance, appeal, and character that Robert had intended.
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The 1994 Reserve is an exquisite wine. The deep opaque purple color, and tightly wound nose and flavors still reveal enough profound aromas to mark this as one of Mondavi's most sensational efforts. The nose possesses a Margaux/Mouton-like cassis, lead pencil, floral aroma, backed up by copious quantities of blackcurrant fruit. In the mouth, my notes said, "great stuff." The wine is full-bodied, layered, multidimensional and astonishingly well balanced, with an inner-depth and core of exceptional richness and intensity. All of this has been accomplished without any notion of obtrusive weight, tannin or alcohol. The finish lasts for 35+ seconds. Because of its luxurious quantity of fruit, this wine will be accessible young. However, for those who possess the discipline to wait 10-15 years, this wine should prove to be a formidable Cab with a rare complexity, elegance and richness.

This sample was a knockout at the blind tasting of 1987 Cabernet barrel samples. This is undoubtedly the finest Reserve since the 1974, perhaps even the 1970. The wine shows great richness, a fabulous nose of smoky oak and jammy blackcurrants. The flavors in the mouth are terrific as this wine has astounding depth, a hedonistic level of fruit, and a tremendous finish. This is the kind of wine that California can produce and is capable of winning the hearts and souls of the masses. Anticipated maturity: 1991-2004.

Soft and succulent blackberry and cassis fruit upfront, framed by squeaky clean tannins and solid oak elements. This is most notable for its voluptuous, velvety texture, which coats the palate with sweet flavors. It's not a big wine but a balanced, harmonious one, and a success for the vintage.

If you missed out on Robert Mondavi's 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, try to find a few bottles of the sumptuously rich, decadent, showy 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve that is about to be released. It is a sweeter, riper, more unctuously-styled Cabernet. While it may lack some of the classicism of the 1991 Reserve, it is s super-rich, full-bodied, flamboyant, unctuously-textured wine that should drink well for 20+ years.

Mondavi has also turned in a very strong effort in the good, but generally unexciting 1988 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage. In contrast to his compelling 1987 Reserve, the 1988 is much softer, and not nearly as concentrated. It is ideal for drinking over the next 7-10 years. It has a gorgeously smoky, cassis, and vanillin-scented bouquet, ripe, round, generously endowed flavors, soft acids, and moderate tannins in its smooth as silk finish. Much more advanced and approachable than the 1987 Reserve, it is ideal for near-term gratification.

Seductive and stylish up front, with pretty, supple, coffee, currant, anise and sage notes, but you keep hoping for a little more focus. Finishes with a thick, chewy wall of dry tannins. Best from 2002 through 2008.